Neurological examination
If your doctor (GP or A&E doctor) suspects you have a brain tumour, they will refer you to a specialist, such as a neurologist. These are specialists in brain and nerve disorders. If they suspect a child has a brain tumour, they will refer them to a paediatrician.
The specialist will:
- Ask questions about your health
- Give you a physical examination
- Test your nervous system (called a neurological examination) – this involves looking at your vision, hearing, alertness, muscle strength, co-ordination and reflexes.
They may also look at the back of your eyes to see if there is any swelling of the optic disc. Any swelling is a sign of raised pressure inside the skull, which could be a sign of a brain tumour.
Hearing tests to diagnose acoustic neuromas
Acoustic neuromas can be difficult to diagnose as their symptoms, including hearing loss, can be similar to other conditions. Find out more about about acoustic neuromas and how they are diagnosed.
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